Lecompte and Betancourt separated shortly after a government raid freed her from more than six years in rebel captivity in July 2008. She was a former presidential candidate and the most famous hostage held by the guerrillas.

Lecompte did not give the price of the sale on Thursday, but says it was “an insignificant thing.” He says it is based mostly on his first book, which he says is “a story of love” despite their later differences.